What happened: The board voted unanimously to hire a Raleigh firm to design a satellite campus near Lake Rim Park. According to the board, 48 companies applied for the job. The building and grounds committee selected HH Architecture, said Joe Levister, vice president for administrative services. The firms were scored by a number of factors, including their specialized expertise, past performance, staffing, design approach and knowledge of green concepts, he said. The top five firms were interviewed by the committee before it made its recommendation to the board. HH Architecture is designing the remodel of the former Service Merchandise building on campus. The estimated $13.2 million project will create a new general classroom, according to the firm.

Why it matters: The new 59-acre satellite campus will allow FTCC to expand its nursing and allied health programs, President J. Larry Keen said.

What’s next: The college and the architects will negotiate the architect’s fees and create a contract.

Other business: College officials presented their budget to the Cumberland County commissioners. FTCC is asking for an increase of $289,770, or 3.5 percent, from the $8.25 million in county funding this fiscal year. The extra money would replace a generator, pay for increases in heating and property taxes and allow some buildings to go green. Jeannette Council, chairwoman of the commissioners, said: “We are going to do all we can to meet their request.”

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